A distinctive feature of the early stages of apoptosis is the activation of caspase enzymes, which participate in the cleavage of protein substrates and in the subsequent disassembly of the cell. We offer a series of caspase assays that allow the simple detection of active caspases in living cells in real time or in cellular lysates or extracts.

Live-cell assays

CellEvent® Caspase-3/7 Green Detection Reagent is optimized for apoptosis analysis with a simple no-wash protocol that helps preserve delicate apoptotic cells. Live cells in microplate wells can be monitored in real time for apoptotic activity by measuring fluorescence intensity.

Caspase-3/7 assays

Microplate assay kits for caspase-3/7 measurement provide a choice of substrates with different wavelength emissions. Kits are available using rhodamine 110 or AMC to report caspase activity. Substrates are also available as bulk reagents or predispensed into microplate wells

Other caspase substrates

Rhodamine 110–derived caspase substrates are available with a variety of specificities for different caspases. They are cleaved by the protease and converted first to the fluorescent monoamide and then to R110 with a further increase in fluorescence. The substrates can be used to continuously measure enzyme activity in cell extracts and purified enzyme preparations using a fluorescence microplate reader.

Dose–response curve with CellEvent™ Caspase-3/7 Green Detection Reagent. The percent positive for active caspase3/7 and EC50 were determined for staurosporine-treated U2OS cells using the reagents in the CellEvent™ Caspase-3/7 Green Detection Reagent.